Senior Automation Controls Specialist | Industrial Energy & Process Automation

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Controls Specialist to support operations at an advanced industrial energy facility in Moses Lake, Washington. This is a high-impact opportunity for a hands‑on automation professional to take ownership of complex plant control systems, improve operational reliability, and contribute to the development of future industrial facilities.

Our client is an innovative industrial technology organization focused on advancing next-generation energy solutions through sophisticated process engineering, automation, and industrial manufacturing technologies.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs, PlantPAx Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Factory Talk, industrial process automation, and Operational Technology (OT) networks
, preferably within oil and gas, energy, chemical processing, or other heavy industrial environments.

This position is well suited for a senior technical specialist who enjoys solving complex operational challenges, working directly with plant equipment and control systems, and maintaining a strong hands‑on presence in an operating facility.

• Lead hands‑on configuration, programming, troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization of industrial automation and process control systems.
• Support Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs, PlantPAx DCS, Factory Talk HMI/SCADA platforms, and associated control infrastructure.
• Diagnose complex process control issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve plant reliability, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Perform control logic modifications, system updates, testing, documentation, and ongoing automation system improvements.
• Support plant operations through equipment troubleshooting, system diagnostics, and as‑needed after‑hours technical assistance.

• Maintain and support Integrated Control and Safety Systems (ICSS), ensuring system modifications preserve established safety requirements and operating philosophies.
• Integrate third‑party equipment, vendor control packages, instrumentation, and industrial communication interfaces into the plant's automation architecture.
• Collaborate with equipment manufacturers, automation vendors, and engineering contractors to resolve technical challenges and evaluate system enhancements.
• Support the implementation of reliable automation solutions across existing operations and future facility development.

• Serve as the primary plant automation interface between Operations and Information Technology (IT).
• Support industrial Ethernet networks, VLANs, firewalls, network segmentation, and industrial demilitarized zone (IDMZ) concepts.
• Coordinate secure remote access, user permissions, role‑based access controls, multifactor authentication, cybersecurity practices, and OT asset management.
• Partner with IT and technical stakeholders on system patching, network troubleshooting, incident response, and infrastructure security while protecting plant availability and safety.

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Construction, Project Management, and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) teams to support safe and efficient plant performance.
• Provide technical guidance on automation improvements, operational challenges, and process optimization opportunities.
• Translate lessons learned from operating facilities into recommendations for future industrial plant design, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Contribute technical expertise to long‑term automation strategies and facility expansion initiatives.

• 8+ years of…